Managing director Steven Wright has a background in running a small graphics design company, but it was as the landlord of the McOrville Inn in Elwick, near Hartlepool, that he was inspired by the number of locals looking to get print work done.

His company, Anonprinting.com, has been trading for a couple of months and promises "online prices but with a personal approach" according to Wright.

Rather than his suppliers bidding against each other for work, they supply pricing structures "so I know straight away who gets the business", he said.

The site also uses two pricing structures. "We have one pricing structure for regular businesses, for someone who I'll talk with over the phone and look after. This is completely different from a trade customer who knows what they're doing."

Wright said that he is experiencing strong demand and expects to add a magazine contract worth £20,000 a month in early July. He has also had orders from Spain where he says customers find his prices cheaper than printing locally.

However, he added that the idea of buying in his own equipment did not appeal. "I don't think I'd even want to get to that stage," he said.

The company has a new staff member joining next month and has a three-year business plan targeting turnover in the region of £330,000.